So today was the big day! Apple finally allowed us the privilege to give them another chunk of our hard-earned money by opening up pre-orders for the no-longer mythical iPad! I have to admit, I was right there in line waiting like all the other Apple fanbois, just like I will be when Microsoft releases the first Windows Phone 7.
I fully expect the iPad to replace my MacBook Pro for the majority of things I do when traveling, going to conferences, and meeting with clients. 90% of the things I do outside my office include nothing more than email, the web, and either Apple Pages or Keynote. Seriously.
There are times when I need to write code or produce video and I will always have the lappy with me when those situations arise, but those times will be few an far between. I need the security of a laptop with me incase I have to hit a deadline or unload video from my camera, but I am not going to be held hostage by the short battery life and larger footprint of the lappy any longer.
I am most excited about using the iPad on flights. On my last flight from DC to Dallas I almost had the screen of my MacBook Pro completely snapped off. The fella in front of me leaned back in his seat. The lid of my screen got wedged between the fold out table and the clip that holds the table in the back of the seat. There was a microsecond of pure terror as he pushed back on his seat and as my poor, sweet, brave little lappy held his ground. A millisecond later, lappy gave way and the screen slammed shut forward. He could have snapped the henge just as easily but I was lucky this time.
So I just sat there like a frightened child. I thought to myself, "never again, Never Again, NEVER AGAIN!" I was just thinking it, so I didn't frighten anyone on the flight. It was real dramatic in my head. I was shaking my hands violently in the sky. It was very impressive. You should have been there.
Anyhooo‚ back to one of the benefits of the iPad, and a severe shortcoming of my MacLappy Pro: battery life. Now, while drinking the Kool-Aid back on January 27, I was pleasantly surprised when Steve Jobby announced that the iPad could get “up to 10 hours” of battery life. That's longer than the two batteries for lappy I carry when I travel.
Of course, now that 10 hours of battery life will be the new standard, I will burn through that and still expect to get more out of it. So, I did some research to figure out how I can get as much battery life out of the iPad as possible. Now, since the iPad isn't out yet, we will need to be imaginative. No-one has been able to get their mitts on the device to do any actual testing so we'll have to look at the specs and features on the iPad and use some common sense based upon experience we have with other mobile devices.
So, I give you my 17 best tips on how to extend the battery life of your brand-spanking new iPad which are all based upon what I like to call, guessing.
1) Auto Lock - Set the iPad to lock itself as soon as possible when you are not using it. When the iPad locks itself, not only does it keep your data safe, but it allows the iPad to go into sleep mode that much sooner. OK, the second part of that is a pure, flat out lie, maybe. It could work that way but I really don't know if it actually does.
2) Bluetooth - Hear that? It’s suck. That’s the sound of bluetooth devices connected to your iPad. Run it over your carpet and you’ll have a floor so clean your mother would be proud. Unless your mother’s a slob. If that's the case, then she won’t care. She'll probably steal your iPad and sell it on eBay, so keep it away from her.
3) Downloading - Don’t download large apps or large amounts of music/podcasts/video wirelessly when your iPad is not plugged into a power source. Downloading is hard on the battery. If possible, wait until your iPad is connected to your computer or plugged into the a power outlet.
4) Graphics - So, this may be one of the most ridiculous suggestions I make considering all the movie and game goodness that is the iPad. But, you know what I’m gonna say, turn all the graphics off completely. I mean it, a black screen is an efficient screen. I grant you it limits the usability of the device, but you sure can stretch out the life of the battery if you turn off the screen. Not so much? Ok. Not so much.
Let’s try this: if you are really concerned about the battery life on your new iPad and don’t have any need for fun or entertainment then cut it out for heaven’s sake! Those graphic intensive games and that full HD movie are the mother of all battery life suckers.
5) External battery - Give them some time and the folks at some random Mac accessory will build a slab of external power that can be stuck on the back of our beautiful iPad. Sure it will make the iPad look like a cinder block, but we'll get an additional 38 minutes of battery life in return for the extra 6 pounds of weight and 6 inches of depth.
6) External charging options - If you are replacing your lappy for daily meetings or even travel, your lappy bag will be much lighter and roomier. Stick a power adapter in your bag so you can sip on some extra juice whenever you are in close proximity to a power outlet.
7) Fetching Email - When the iPad is asleep, it will have to wake up to check your mail. Fetch your mail manually to save battery life.
8) iPod EQ - I’ve read in a few places that using the EQ on the iPod/iPhone drains the battery. Makes sense that it will have the same effect on an iPad. Turn it off and listen to all your music in glorious flat.
9) Keep the Firmware Updated - Firmware can help with operating efficiency. Therefore, we’d think that keeping the firmware up to date is a peachy idea.
10) Location services - These are super cool and nifty. They help stalkers find you. They use GPS. They suck the life out of your battery. Suggestion - if you aren't using maps or hopping onto foursquare or Gowalla to location-drop - turn them off. We all know you get your coffee at the gas station and not at Starbicks anyway, liar.
11) Multiple email accounts - I have several email accounts on my desktop but I will only have my main account on the iPad. It’s simple really, check one email account, use some power. Check multiple accounts, use somultiple power.
12) Push Mail - I won't do this, but if you can stomach checking your mail manually, turn off push mail. It's not that big a deal really to just check the mail manually. Don't be a baby. I like it to just be there waiting for me when I open up mail. I'm a baby - you don't have to be.
13) Push Notifications - These are the mobile world's version of popups. Usually they offer no real value, in my opinion, other than to suck your attention away from what you were just doing so you can see that Jeffery just checked into 7-Eleven - “Love the hotdogs” - or to inform you that Southwest Airlines has tickets from Dallas Love Field to Lubbock for $39 for the next 45 minutes. Now, with news apps like the CNN or Associated Press apps, there is real value when they are using push notification to inform you of pressing local and world events. So this might be a reason to keep them running if you use news apps.
14) Screen Brightness - This is a no-brainer. Turn the screen brightness down low and save power.
15) Turn Off 3G - If all you are doing is reading a book or writing in Pages, turn off 3G. Why have it running in the background sucking up power if you’re not using it at all?
16) Vibration - Since the iPhone and iPod Touch have vibration functionality used for gaming, it’s safe to assume the iPad will have it as well. iPad, vibrate...nevermind.
So, since we assume it’s there, turn it off! Making the iPad got shakey-shakey-shakey will make the battery drainy-drainy-drainy.
17) WiFi - if you have the 3G iPad and you aren’t at home or close to a trusted WiFi network, turn off WiFi. When the iPad has WiFi turned on, it spends energy “seeking” for new hotspots to connect to. Seeking drains your battery. If you don’t need a fast internet connection, turn off WiFi.
So, do all the things I’ve listed above with your new iBrick iPad, and you’ll have an, err, iBrick. Actually, just use your best judgement. Take my advice on a few or more of the suggestions listed here and find the best compromise between your iPad's battery performance and your personal needs. Once the iPad launches, if there are more ways to eek out battery life from the unicorn tablet, I'll update this blog post.
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